Pashtun

American  

[pash-toon, pahsh-, puhsh-] / ˌpæʃˈtun, ˌpɑʃ-, ˌpʌʃ- /

Sometimes Pukhtun also Pushtun

noun

1. a people of eastern and southern Afghanistan and neighboring regions of northwest Pakistan; the dominant ethnic group in Afghanistan.

2. Also called Pathan.  a member of the Pashtun people.

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adjective

1. of, relating to, or characteristic of the Pashtun people.

Etymology

Origin of Pashtun

First recorded in 1810–20; from Pashto Pəx̌tānə, Pax̌tūn, Pəshtūn

Example Sentences

It also divides Pashtun communities who live on either side -- the ethnic group from which the Taliban, which returned to power in Kabul in 2021, draws much of its support.

From Barron's • Jan. 4, 2026

Among the groups of mujahideen who fought the Soviets were young men from the Pashtun tribe who had studied at Islamic religious schools in Pakistan.

From Textbooks • Dec. 14, 2022

And internal security has been a near constant problem due to insurgencies in ethnic Pashtun and Baloch regions.

From Reuters • Nov. 17, 2022

Both Andarab and Panjshir are dominated by the Persian-speaking Tajik community, whereas the Taliban are predominantly Pashtun.

From BBC • Jul. 26, 2022

“Remember this,” Baba said, pointing at me, “The man is a Pashtun to the root. He has nang and namoos.”

From "The Kite Runner" by Khaled Hosseini